Reports during Japan’s 2025 Obon holiday season highlighted the incredible popularity of Joso Roadside Station, with visitors reportedly waiting up to three hours for their famous melon pan. This summer phenomenon perfectly illustrates why this Ibaraki destination has become Japan’s hottest culinary obsession—yet remains virtually undiscovered by international tourists.
Japan’s network of over 1,200 roadside stations (michi-no-eki) serves as more than just rest stops for travelers. These local government-operated facilities function as vital community hubs, breathing life into regional economies while showcasing the finest local produce and craftsmanship. Among this impressive collection, one destination has emerged as an absolute phenomenon: Joso Roadside Station in Ibaraki Prefecture.
Since its grand opening in April 2023, this culinary haven has maintained an almost mythical status among Japanese food enthusiasts. Weekend traffic controllers struggle to manage the serpentine queues of eager visitors, while signature products vanish from shelves within hours. Nearly two years later, the momentum shows no signs of slowing. What makes this location particularly compelling for international visitors is its proximity to Tokyo—close enough for day trips, yet refreshingly undiscovered by foreign tourists, making it an Instagram goldmine waiting to be explored.
The Secret Behind the Phenomenon
The magic of Joso lies in a perfect trinity: exceptional terroir, passionate local artisans, and discerning customers who recognize genuine quality. This isn’t merely a roadside stop—it’s a celebration of Ibaraki’s agricultural excellence.
Ibaraki: Japan’s Culinary Kingdom
Ibaraki Prefecture stands as one of Japan’s premier food production regions, boasting legendary brands across every protein category. The prefecture proudly produces Hitachi beef, Rose Pork, and Okukuji game fowl—each name carrying weight among Japan’s most sophisticated food connoisseurs. Beyond premium meats, Ibaraki delivers eggs with golden yolks so firm they resist chopstick pressure, Japan’s sweetest melons, and sweet potatoes that dissolve like butter on the tongue. The prefecture’s extensive Pacific coastline yields exceptional seafood, with monkfish (ankō) reigning as the regional specialty.
At Joso, this extraordinary bounty converges under one roof, creating an unparalleled shopping experience.
Culinary Innovation: Guinness-Record Melon Pan and Artisanal Imo-Kenbi
Ibaraki’s capital, Mito, earned global recognition as the birthplace of natto—fermented soybeans celebrated as a superfood. This innovative spirit permeates every corner of Joso Roadside Station, where traditional concepts receive revolutionary upgrades.
The station’s crown jewel, their melon pan, achieved Guinness World Record status by selling 9,360 units in just eight hours. Unlike conventional “melon pan” (which contains no actual melon), Joso’s version incorporates genuine melon purée—fresh fruit pulp blended to liquid perfection. Only in Ibaraki, Japan’s leading melon producer, could such luxurious innovation feel natural.
Equally remarkable is their signature Imo-Kenbi, a reimagined version of traditional sweet potato chips. While standard imo-kenpi resembles McDonald’s french fries in size, Joso’s artisans craft theirs shoelace-thin, creating an impossibly smooth texture and delicate flavor profile that elevates this humble snack to gourmet status.
Sweet potatoes hold special significance here—massive replica tubers guard the entrance, while even the UFO catcher games contain realistic sweet potato replicas instead of conventional prizes. These whimsical touches reveal the deep local pride in their signature crop.
Insider Tips: Timing Your Melon Pan Purchase
Based on firsthand experience, the famous melon pan is freshly baked and released at specific times: 9:20 AM, 11:20 AM, 1:20 PM, and 3:20 PM. Each batch comes straight from the on-site ovens, ensuring optimal freshness. While weekends and holidays see significant queues (as evidenced by the three-hour waits during Obon), weekdays offer a more relaxed experience. During a recent weekday visit at 11:40 AM, there was no line and approximately half the batch remained available. However, after just 20 minutes of browsing the facility, nearly all the melon pan had sold out—a testament to their irresistible appeal even on quieter days.
Instagram-Worthy Culinary Artistry
Two exceptional restaurants anchor the main building: Ikoiya and Tamago-ya, each crafting dishes designed for social media stardom.
Ikoiya specializes in coastal cuisine, serving gravity-defying seafood bowls shaped like ice cream cones—a playful twist that photographs beautifully. Their voluminous whitebait (shirasu) bowls create equally striking visuals.
Tamago-ya centers on local premium eggs, with their signature dish being an omelet rice crowned with a hamburger made from 100% local branded pork. The showstopper is their soufflé pancake filled with fresh cream and ice cream—servers dramatically caramelize the butter and sugar topping with a torch tableside. Their pristine white parfait, topped with an egg yolk so firm it can be lifted with chopsticks, practically demands Instagram documentation.
Having sampled the cone-shaped seafood bowl, parfait, and soufflé pancake across two visits, each dish exceeded expectations both visually and gastronomically.
Complete Relaxation: Natural Hot Springs
Joso’s appeal extends beyond culinary excellence through its three-building complex. The main structure houses restaurants and food markets, while additional buildings offer Starbucks, a bookstore with reading areas, and a premium indoor playground for children.
The crown jewel is Oyumusubi, a pristine natural hot spring facility featuring traditional gender-separated bathing areas with natural hot springs, high-concentration carbonated baths, saunas, and natural cold-water pools. The innovative co-ed sauna spa area offers eight specialized sauna rooms where guests enjoy treatments in swimwear or facility-provided attire. While most station facilities close at 5 PM, the spa operates until 11 PM. Note: tattoos are prohibited.
Getting There: 70 Minutes from Akihabara
Reaching Joso Roadside Station takes approximately 70 minutes via train and taxi—the simplest and most straightforward method. Take the Tsukuba Express from Akihabara, Asakusa, or Kita-Senju directly to Tsukuba Station, then continue by taxi to the roadside station.
Recommended Route: Via Tsukuba Station
Tsukuba Express to Tsukuba Station:
- Direct line from Akihabara (no transfers required)
- Journey time: 45-50 minutes
- Fare: ¥1,210
Taxi from Tsukuba Station:
- Duration: 20 minutes to Joso Roadside Station
- Cost: Approximately ¥5,000 each way (¥10,000 round trip)
- Simply tell the driver: “Joso Michi-no-Eki”
The taxi cost might seem steep, but when shared among multiple passengers, the individual burden becomes quite manageable.
Taxi Logistics:
- Departure: Taxis consistently available at Tsukuba Station—no waiting concerns
- Return: Oyumusubi hot spring front desk will arrange a taxi for you
- Taxi company: Mitsuma Taxi (0120-33-7022) confirmed the fare to Tsukuba Station is approximately ¥5,000 including dispatch fee
- Cost-saving tip: Slightly cheaper to return to Midorino Station (closer to Akihabara on TX line)
### Alternative Option: Bicycle Rental (For the Adventurous)
For cycling enthusiasts, rental bicycles are available at the tourist information center on the first floor of Bivi building, connected to Tsukuba Station. Operating from 9 AM to 5 PM, rentals cost ¥500 with passport identification. **Reality check:** The 13-kilometer journey takes approximately one hour each way along well-maintained sidewalks. While the outbound trip felt manageable, the return journey proved quite challenging. Note that electric bicycles are not available. This option is recommended only for experienced cyclists comfortable with longer distances.
Budget Alternative: The Longer Route
For cost-conscious travelers willing to invest extra time:
Route: Akihabara → TX Express to Moriya Station → Transfer to Joso Line → Mitsuma Station → Local bus or taxi to roadside station
Cost: Approximately ¥2,000 per person each way Time: About 2 hours each way
Local Bus Schedule (Mitsuma Station ↔ Joso Roadside Station):
Outbound:
- 8:03 AM → 8:13 AM (Mitsuma-Goka route)
- 8:50 AM → 9:00 AM (Mitsukaido-Ohanawa route)
- 11:00 AM → 11:10 AM (Sugawara-Ohanawa route)
- 1:45 PM → 1:55 PM (Oo-Goka route)
- 5:00 PM → 5:10 PM (Sugawara-Ohanawa route)
Return:
- 10:29 AM → 10:47 AM (Oo-Goka route)
- 12:16 PM → 12:35 PM (Sugawara-Ohanawa route)
- 3:22 PM → 3:30 PM (Mitsuma-Goka route)
- 3:31 PM → 3:41 PM (Mitsukaido-Ohanawa route)
Perfect for Adventurous International Travelers
Joso Roadside Station appeals to visitors seeking:
- Undiscovered gems: Authentic Japanese culinary experiences beyond tourist radar (as of summer 2025, international visitors remain rare)
- Local authenticity: Farm-fresh ingredients transformed into unique regional specialties
- Family-friendly adventures: Comprehensive facilities including children’s entertainment
- Social media content: Highly photogenic dishes and experiences perfect for sharing worldwide
Ultimate Day Trip: Combine with Mount Tsukuba
Ambitious travelers can combine Joso with Mount Tsukuba, one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains. Ascend via cable car for panoramic views, descend by ropeway, then conclude at Joso for culinary rewards. This combination creates an unforgettable day encompassing natural beauty, cultural immersion, and gastronomic excellence.
Discover Japan’s best-kept culinary secret before the world catches on.
コメント